From Anna Pavlova to Alec Guinness, Buxton Opera House has attracted some of the world’s most revered performers over its 120-year history. Yet its most remarkable cast is undoubtedly its volunteers, as Rebecca Erskine discovers.
LOOK beneath its ornate surface and you will find there is plenty going on at Buxton Opera House. It is not so much a venue, rather the beating heart of a proud but isolated High Peak town. From choirs to reading clubs, schools outreach and environmental initiatives, its breadth of reach is vast. Most impressively, perhaps, is that the extent of such work is made possible only because of its volunteers.
As Head of Operations and Deputy CEO, Jonathan Thompson, explains: “The 119 volunteers on our books equate to more than three for every member of duty management staff. We are very much a volunteer-led charity. Many of our volunteers are those who have known and loved the venue from childhood, who experienced their first panto here and have since attended with their children and grandchildren. They are joined by those who have retired to Buxton or re-located to the town and are looking to build new friendship groups. They fulfil most of the roles needed, from front of house to assistant duty manager; and it is their amazing stories which add so much to the customer experience”.
“Without their unfailing support, we would be unable to keep our building open nor fulfil what we see as our wider commitments to the local community.”
Volunteer time and energy is vital to the Opera House which, in turn, is vital to Buxton’s wider visitor economy. Many of the town’s bars and restaurants base their opening hours on the programme of performances. There are strong working relationships, too, with Travel Buxton, both on public transport timetabling and the encouragement of car shares.
The council’s commitment to free parking after 6pm plays an important role too.
As well as from the High Peak and Derbyshire in general, the venue proudly attracts audiences from as far afield as Stoke, Leek, Sheffield, and Manchester. “Not everyone wants to visit the big cities,” explains Jonathan. “Many audiences who travel some distance to come to us like to add to their experience by spending the day here or staying over.”
Jonathan adds: “When we look at our future audiences, it is important that we speak to everyone. Serving the community in all its forms and attracting new champions, whether they be audiences or volunteers, sits very much at the heart of our organisation’s three-year plans.”
“It really opens young people’s minds when it comes to what a career in the arts might look like.’
A firm commitment to community outreach has been part of the Opera House for over twenty years and, in 2021, a chorus of support led to the establishment of a dedicated Learning and Engagement department. Allie Spencer, who leads the team as Head of Creative Learning and Engagement, explains why the Opera House’s blend of youth theatre, schools outreach, summer schools and a work experience programme is so important: “It really opens young people’s minds when it comes to what a career in the arts might look like. We’ve always had a youth theatre but we now also have a Technical Youth Theatre where young people can learn from scratch how to be a techie.”
The Opera House’s Summer School, for ages eight to 18, shines a light on the world of theatre in the most exciting yet practical way. Some 30 young people make up the cast with a further ten working on lights, sound, projection and costumes.
The Work Experience programme is just as popular. Allie explains: “For a very magical fortnight, we take up to 30 young people, aged 14 to 18, and turn them into a proper touring company made up of actors, set and costume designers, and technicians. Week 1 is made up of rehearsals. By Week 2, we’re ready for the fringe and perform two shows each day in local church halls and schools.”
The chosen performances provide a useful lens through which to focus on important themes. Last year, which was the 500-year anniversary of Shakespeare’s first folio, it was Hamlet that provided the backdrop to explore the themes of knife crime, mental health and bereavement. This year, the tale of Red Riding Hood provides useful context for online safety.
Allie adds: “Being selected for the work experience programme is a highly competitive process but we offer the opportunity to those who we think will benefit the most. When the students arrive, I tell them ‘Welcome to your two-week bubble where you’ll get to find people like you.’ I’m proud to say ours is a place where everybody can fit in.”
Emily Jeeves, Head of Marketing & Communications, says: “We take our social responsibilities very seriously. It’s not all about getting into drama school. Connection to the arts sparks a very positive energy and, beyond the importance of career progression, it really does contribute to a sense of wellbeing and place, and can really impact someone’s life.”
Allie is in firm agreement: “Our book club offers so much to so many, whether it’s an isolated person in their eighties looking for a reason to get up on a Tuesday or a young parent new to the UK seeking to improve their English. Our (Affected by Cancer) singing club in Chesterfield offers a person living with, or affected by cancer, the opportunity to sing alongside their family and friends and the reassurance that a lasting network of friendship will support their loved ones when it’s most needed.”
There is much more to celebrate: The ‘Leave No Trace’ pilot project, funded by the Arts Council and Buxton Civic Association champions environmental responsibility. It cumulated in a guided promenade performance through Grin Low Woods and performance at Poole’s Cavern, both of which were free to attend. Free after-school clubs across High Peak are helping children as young as seven to experience the magic of arts participation and, for young adults looking for a less-conventional but life-affirming career path, an apprenticeship with the Opera House fits the bill.
Reflecting on the lasting impact of the Opera House, Jonathan says: “Many of
our young performers came to the realisation that ‘Life is bigger than London!’ I think that’s testament to the fact that everything we do here has local people in mind. Our performance of Evita, a product of our community theatre, was packed to the brim in May and received national acclaim when it was reviewed as ‘West End production level’. That is an incredible achievement and all thanks to the community talent that makes up our wonderful town.”
Buxton Opera House is clearly a place that inspires and enriches audiences, volunteers and the wider community deserves a standing ovation for many more years to come.
Editor’s note: Further details on the ABC Singing Club (held at The Parish Centre Stonegravels), Adult Readers Group (Dress Circle Bar of the Opera House) and how to become a volunteer can all be found here: www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk